Layla Moran
Main Page: Layla Moran (Liberal Democrat - Oxford West and Abingdon)Department Debates - View all Layla Moran's debates with the HM Treasury
Business Rates
Layla Moran Excerpts(1 day, 10 hours ago)
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Dan Tomlinson
I really look forward to working with my hon. Friend on important matters such as the high street strategy, and I hope that he has been in conversation with his local authority and businesses about some of the other measures that the Government are introducing and the issues that are important to him. High street rental auctions have real potential to be powerful in forcing shops that are being left vacant back into use. The introduction of the community right to buy should also be an effective change, and I hope that we will be able to see it implemented in his constituency and across the country.
Layla Moran (Oxford West and Abingdon) (LD)
Can the Minister understand, from the point of view of a small independent retailer, that the way that this announcement has been done—with the package coming forward late in the day—has led to a perception of unfairness? I was contacted by one owner, who pointed out that her bills have gone up by over £500 a month. She compares herself with Harrods and Selfridges, whose bills have gone down. Although she is pleased that local pubs and hospitality have got some help, her business sits alongside them and is part of the same community. What does the Minister have to say to that independent retailer, who is part of the backbone of our economy? When is the help coming for her business?
Dan Tomlinson
I do not know the details of that individual business owner and by how much her rateable value has increased, but we have implemented the permanently lower multipliers. They are now 33% lower than the tax rate that is paid by the online giants. That is a big change to the system that this Government have delivered, and which previous Governments ducked time and again. We have implemented our transitional relief caps this year, capping increases at £800 or at 15% or 30% for the largest businesses. We will continue to engage with businesses on what more we can do on a whole range of issues.